Tabarez believes the key to success against Holland is keeping Robben under control, although he rejected suggestions that the Bayern Munich star is a diver.

"He's a great footballer," Tabarez said. "He's very fast, very nimble, very long strides. When he shifts his body, it's difficult to react.

"With Robben back, this Holland side benefits greatly. They were already very good without him, but now they have him contributing as well.

"Like any footballer who is hit on the pitch, well, I wouldn't say he is a cheat. These are things that happen in football. It's up to the referee to determine the players' intentions."

The Uruguay manager admits his side have not played at their best at this World Cup but still dreams of the South Americans returning to former glories, even if they are hampered by the lure of Europe's more glamorous leagues.

"We have a long way to go," Tabarez said. "The world nowadays is very different to that in the first half of the 20th century, when Uruguay hardly lost a match.

"The gap is widening more and more between the first and the Third World. There is increasing independence of players going to Europe to earn their trade and that weakens our football.

"It would be a dream to become a footballing power again, but the world hasn't changed because we've won a few matches."